Vergil Ortiz Jr. Nears Keith Thurman Fight

Oscar De La Hoya says negotiations are being finalized, with December 12 targeted for an appearance on David Benavidez’s Arizona card. The agreement isn’t complete, but Golden Boy appears to have found its alternative to Jaron Ennis.

“There’s been rumors about Keith Thurman. So, we’re finalizing that deal there, and hopefully we can have him on the Benavidez card in December,” De La Hoya told The Ariel Helwani Show.

Thurman, 37, is coming off a stoppage loss to Sebastian Fundora. That makes him an awkward opponent for a fighter trying to establish himself at the top of the division. Vergil would be facing someone whose latest attempt to compete at championship level ended inside the distance.